These FAs need to dial back their expectations a bit... with salary cap getting across board reduction it basically equals a salary decrease vs value for all player contracts going forward.

No, you need to realise that mid-tier UFAs are "over-paid" under the CBA structure, and thats the way it is. Quality RFAs are under-paid because of the punitive compensation required for even a small offer sheet (1st and 3rd for $2 to $3M! 4 x 1sts for $5M+ !!!)

"If I can be totally honest, it's not a lot of guys you get impressed by. Actually, it's no one else but him. From the bench, to see what move he makes -- you're like, 'I wish I could do that.' Sometimes you sit on the bench and just think, 'wow,' and you look over to the other bench and they sit there and shake their heads, too. He has great, great skills. I'm probably not going to play with another player who has the kind of skills he has." Mikael Samuelsson on Pavel Datsyuk

No, you need to realise that mid-tier UFAs are "over-paid" under the CBA structure, and thats the way it is. Quality RFAs are under-paid because of the punitive compensation required for even a small offer sheet (1st and 3rd for $2 to $3M! 4 x 1sts for $5M+ !!!)

this is a really good point. If the offer sheet rules were a little less, RFAs would make more and probably demand a little less once they hit UFA status.... some may be trying to make up for their lower RFA contracts with big money on the open market.

Datsyukian

Dat·syu·ki·an [dat-soo-kee-uh n]

adjective

1. When your moves are so amazing and beyond reason, the only way to describe them is "datsyukian."

We're not getting bigger this summer. At least, not through free agency.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

this is a really good point. If the offer sheet rules were a little less, RFAs would make more and probably demand a little less once they hit UFA status.... some may be trying to make up for their lower RFA contracts with big money on the open market.

If the Bruins are smart, they re-sign both of them and let Jagr, Ference..walk. Rask is one of the coming elite goalies, Horton is just a beast.
That said, I'd rather have Clarkson at 4,5 than Horton at 5,5.

The Offseason of truth ...

Welcome to hockeytown Jonas aka Lundquist 2 Gustavsson!

blank cheque for The Captain or Jim Star Nil please..

<< Win it for Mr. Hockey ! f*** this league THANK YOU BABS FOR 10 MARVELLOUS YEARS

Yes, they're all going to be overpaid, but that's the norm these days. If you want a first-line power-forward (which we need), you're gonna have to pay up.

We're in a good spot. We just need a shot in the arm, i.e. a big, mean scoring winger, and perhaps a Weiss-type (eh). If we can do that, all while trimming the fat and bringing up the kids, we'll be doing the best we can. Anything short of that, though, will be a pretty big disappointment, IMHO, especially with the way we threatened in these past playoffs.

"If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential, for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility never. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as possibility!" - Kierkegaard

I guess you guys are right. Stars will continue to make big bucks and the lower tier players are going to get their salaries cut to fall in line with new salary cap.

I was dumb to think it would be across the board for teams and not mirror reality where 10% of the people continue to make all the money and increase their wealth the last decade while the rest are stagnant or losing...

Please forgive my ignorance on who's available this summer via UFA, but from what I do know - there's nobody really worth breaking the bank for...

Bickell/Clarkson probably won't live up to their respective price tags...Maybe a guy like Michael Ryder could be added for a "reasonable" price...Whatever "reasonable" is nowadays

That's my thought, too. As mentioned above, there are going to be teams that throw more money at guys like Bickell, Clarkson, and Horton than they're likely worth. In my estimation, Detroit is more likely to add a Ryder or Clowe-type. A second-tier guy with size who can put up some points. I would be happy to see them add Ryder, provided it's not the only move they make this summer.

Yes, they're all going to be overpaid, but that's the norm these days. If you want a first-line power-forward (which we need), you're gonna have to pay up.

We're in a good spot. We just need a shot in the arm, i.e. a big, mean scoring winger, and perhaps a Weiss-type (eh). If we can do that, all while trimming the fat and bringing up the kids, we'll be doing the best we can. Anything short of that, though, will be a pretty big disappointment, IMHO, especially with the way we threatened in these past playoffs.

.....and Clowe.

Srsly, he might be a decent middle six addition at a bargain.

......or Iginla.

It's amazing how no one's throwing his name around. I know he didn't want to come t Detroit at the deadline, but he also didn't want to go to Boston. I think he'd score 30 on Datsyuk's wing.

Yeah, let's not forget that the 'market price' quote came from a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Didn't that CBJ squad almost sneak into the playoffs. Admittedly if they don't secure goalie Bob they will be back in the bottom of the league but having seen this team up close they have righted the ship. As far as that player goes I think we can all agree he is a ******.

Didn't that CBJ squad almost sneak into the playoffs. Admittedly if they don't secure goalie Bob they will be back in the bottom of the league but having seen this team up close they have righted the ship. As far as that player goes I think we can all agree he is a ******.

True, they did. But they've still handed out more than their fair share of bloated contracts. And yes, he certainly is. Regardless of what's behind those stars - I agree.

I guess you guys are right. Stars will continue to make big bucks and the lower tier players are going to get their salaries cut to fall in line with new salary cap.

I was dumb to think it would be across the board for teams and not mirror reality where 10% of the people continue to make all the money and increase their wealth the last decade while the rest are stagnant or losing...